NCJ Number
112976
Journal
Mediation Quarterly Issue: 19 Dated: (Spring 1988) Pages: 81-91
Date Published
1988
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Factors related to attrition were examined in an analysis of 1,004 cases recorded by the Community Dispute Settlement Program (CDSP) of Delaware County, Pa., between January 1983 and June 1986.
Abstract
Data indicate that while agreements were reached in 85 percent of cases that reached the settlement process, only 18 percent of those initially contacting the CDSP reached that stage. Half the cases considered appropriate for services terminated before the second party in the dispute could be contacted. In most cases, withdrawal was consumer initiated. Of court-referred requests, half survived to the settlement stage. Attrition rates for cases referred by noncourt sources ranged from 70 to 93 percent, although the resolution rates were higher for noncourt cases than for court cases that reached the settlement phase. Attrition rates were similar for cases referred by police, town officials, and private social agencies; were lower among those referred by private attorneys; and were higher for those referred by family or friends. Lower median income of a municipality was related to higher rates of contact with the CDSP, particularly for noncourt-referred cases. There was a tendency for greater attrition among those from lower income communities. The largest category of disputes, conflicts between neighbors, was the most likely to reach the settlement phase. These cases were most likely to be court-referred. For family cases, intergenerational conflicts were most likely to reach the settlement phase, while spouse conflicts were least likely to. Disputes involving interpersonal conflict were most likely to reach the settlement stage, regardless of referral source. 5 tables and 15 references.